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The Rumor about Google's Latest Business Venture

Google (News - Alert) is like Willy Wonka. People are aware that there are mysterious projects taking place in the factory, but nobody is going to question the methods of a genius whose contributions to society include YouTube. The two traits that make Google what it is, however, are hardly a mystery: innovation and industry. And the buzz surrounding Google’s latest business endeavor highlights its knack to combine the two.

Rumor has it that Google has something special in mind for its fleet of self-driving cars: same-day delivery service. Same-day delivery is a service that is in high demand and will probably continue to grow. Both eBay (News - Alert) and Amazon are offering these services to select cities, and the ambition to expand is undoubtedly a shared one. It now seems that the two shipping giants can now count on one more rival.

Google’s fleet of autonomous vehicles gives them an edge— humans are expensive and make mistakes. But since Nevada is currently the only state that issues licenses for these special cars, it may still be a while before Google can legally release its fleet onto other roadways across the U.S.

In the meantime, Google contracts drivers to assist with the Street View mapping project. Insiders who are familiar with Google’s methods of efficient economy predict that the Google Maps drivers will serve this additional function.

Google not only has the means to begin its same-day delivery business, it may also have a partnership. According to Business Insider, Macy’s confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that Google did indeed approach the retail giant with a proposal.

Not too long ago, Google’s CEO Larry Page (News - Alert), instigated media attention by stepping out in the rarely-before-seen Google glasses. The glasses, which resemble an insect-like creature, have only been spotted a few times before Page’s London debut where he spoke at a convention. Insiders have called the glasses Project Glass, but the public knows neither the spectacle’s infrastructure nor purpose.

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